Braves News: Jurickson Profar update, Atlanta loses Rule 5 picks, Schwellenbach owns

The Atlanta Braves will be playing games that count in a week and things are certainly picking up the pace in terms of news. The Braves are moving with purpose to trim their roster down in advance of the season and fans are starting to get a lot more clarity as to the return timeline of some of their injured players this spring.

Just yesterday, we got a healthy. bundle of updates that included a big development for the Braves' ongoing roster battle in camp as well as when fans can expect to see Jurickson Profar back on the field again.

Braves News: Jurickson Profar returning to the lineup on Thursday

It always feels bad to see a player get hurt in spring training as the games don't even count. It feels even worse than that player is a guy like Jurickson Profar who was the Braves' primary acquisition this offseason and who had a scary wrist injury earlier in camp.

Fortunately, the Braves and Profar dodged a serious issue as he was diagnosed with a bone bruise and all indications were that he was going to be ready for Opening Day. That timeline remains on track as it was recently revealed that Profar would return to the Braves' spring lineup on Thursday. Assuming he doesn't have any issues, there shouldn't be any reason to think that he won't be leading off when the season starts.

Braves News: Atlanta returned both of their Rule 5 picks to their old teams

More often than not, players that get picked in the Rule 5 draft end up not amounting to much. Such players often were still in the minors for a reason and once their new teams figure out exactly where they are, they get offered back to their original teams.

That appears to be the case with the Braves' Rule 5 picks Anderson Pilar and Christian Cairo. Pilar getting returned to the Marlins was reported Wednesday afternoon, but now we have official word that Cairo also didn't make the cut with the Braves and will be returned to the Guardians as well.x

Braves News: Spencer Schwellenbach was absolutely electric again in latest spring start

One of the reasons why more hasn't been made of the losses to the Braves' rotation in Max Fried and Charlie Morton is the presence of the Spencer Schwellenbach. After a stellar rookie campaign that flew under the radar thanks to the existence of Paul Skenes and how good Chris Sale was last season.

Based on spring training, it looks like Schwellenbach may get everyone's attention in 2025. After throwing six scoreless innings while striking out 10 batters, Schwellenbach looks very ready to take the league by storm this season and make people regret not paying more attention to him last season.